How many of y'all like to go out to eat at restaurants? Ding ding, that's me too. I love going out to eat, trying new restaurants, and of course going back to my favorites.
One of my FAVORITE restaurants, is The Fix, right here in Worcester. If you have ever been there, you can attest to how amazing it really is. From pulled pork nachos, to build your own burgers, and to spiked milkshakes... you really can't go wrong with anything you pick.
Being that I loved the restaurant, I decided to "like" The Fix's Facebook page.
Keep in mind, I am very particular about what I "like" on Facebook for two reasons. One, once I like it, it's available for others to see that I liked it and that then associates me with whatever I liked. Secondly, sometimes after I like something, all I see are posts from that particular thing, and that can be annoying.
But whatever. I wanted to like The Fix's page because I was that crazy about the restaurant.
Well... recently The Fix has been having "contests." All you have to do is like the picture and comment with your favorite menu item. Seems easy enough...
The first time I saw this, I was hesitant. I know there are times if you like a picture, it could show up on your friends' timelines depending on how active Facebook is at that time. Also, if you comment on a post, it is likely that the post will show up on your friends' timelines, even if they do not follow the page or person that you commented on. Has anyone else experienced this? ... I once liked a political picture, and a Facebook friend of mine got into a comment war with the person who posted it. Meanwhile my Facebook friend was not friends with the person who posted, and only saw the post because I liked it...
Anyway, from this experience I have been a little more conscious of what I like and what I comment on. Because even if my Facebook friends are not friends with the person's or page's post that I am commenting on, there are still chances that they will see it.
This was my thought process. "Oooh Gift Card, that would be nice to win. But if I comment, my friends might see. Oh well, it's just a burger restaurant."
After the first time I liked and commented on the post, I decided to do a little test. I asked my boyfriend to go on his Facebook timeline and see if he saw anything from The Fix. Sure enough it said above the picture "Nikki Feinberg commented on this." So even though he did not previously "like" The Fix, he saw their post.
Sure, this post is just a contest. But it is so much more, its advertising too. Every time, someone likes and comments, a whole new network is now going to see The Fix's post. The more people who like and comment on the original post, the more and more people will see the name, The Fix.
To be honest, before taking this course, I probably would not have caught on to that sneaky little trick The Fix is pulling. They are using the groundswell to promote them without truly asking for the groundswell to promote them.
Think about it. If you see your friend commented or liked a post with a picture of delicious looking food in it, you may look up the place to see where it is and what it's about, and who knows you may wind up checking that place out. Let's say you don't have the time or even want to look the restaurant up, you are still aware of them now. Maybe you are looking for a new place to go eat, and you are thinking about the post you saw with the delicious burger that your friend liked, and then you remember the restaurant... just because you saw it on Facebook.
Sure, not everyone who sees that their friend liked/commented on a restaurant's post is going to go check out that restaurant. But the odds certainly just increased in favor of the restaurant.
The groundswell works not only in spreading the name of the restaurant, but it also adds credibility. Seeing a friend of yours liked this restaurant is a good indication that you may like it too (that is, of course if you have the same tastes as that friend). You know them and so you are more likely to trust them, versus someone from the restaurant itself. Reviews are helpful too, but knowing someone that has an opinion will be even more helpful.
So, I fell for the trick. I did not win a gift card, but because of me, my network has now seen the name, The Fix.
I'm not mad that The Fix used me. I'm sure many people do not even realize they are being used. I'm okay with it... I just think I should get a Gift Card for helping them out. Don't you agree?
Being that I loved the restaurant, I decided to "like" The Fix's Facebook page.
Keep in mind, I am very particular about what I "like" on Facebook for two reasons. One, once I like it, it's available for others to see that I liked it and that then associates me with whatever I liked. Secondly, sometimes after I like something, all I see are posts from that particular thing, and that can be annoying.
But whatever. I wanted to like The Fix's page because I was that crazy about the restaurant.
Well... recently The Fix has been having "contests." All you have to do is like the picture and comment with your favorite menu item. Seems easy enough...The first time I saw this, I was hesitant. I know there are times if you like a picture, it could show up on your friends' timelines depending on how active Facebook is at that time. Also, if you comment on a post, it is likely that the post will show up on your friends' timelines, even if they do not follow the page or person that you commented on. Has anyone else experienced this? ... I once liked a political picture, and a Facebook friend of mine got into a comment war with the person who posted it. Meanwhile my Facebook friend was not friends with the person who posted, and only saw the post because I liked it...
Anyway, from this experience I have been a little more conscious of what I like and what I comment on. Because even if my Facebook friends are not friends with the person's or page's post that I am commenting on, there are still chances that they will see it.
This was my thought process. "Oooh Gift Card, that would be nice to win. But if I comment, my friends might see. Oh well, it's just a burger restaurant."
After the first time I liked and commented on the post, I decided to do a little test. I asked my boyfriend to go on his Facebook timeline and see if he saw anything from The Fix. Sure enough it said above the picture "Nikki Feinberg commented on this." So even though he did not previously "like" The Fix, he saw their post.
Sure, this post is just a contest. But it is so much more, its advertising too. Every time, someone likes and comments, a whole new network is now going to see The Fix's post. The more people who like and comment on the original post, the more and more people will see the name, The Fix.
To be honest, before taking this course, I probably would not have caught on to that sneaky little trick The Fix is pulling. They are using the groundswell to promote them without truly asking for the groundswell to promote them.
Think about it. If you see your friend commented or liked a post with a picture of delicious looking food in it, you may look up the place to see where it is and what it's about, and who knows you may wind up checking that place out. Let's say you don't have the time or even want to look the restaurant up, you are still aware of them now. Maybe you are looking for a new place to go eat, and you are thinking about the post you saw with the delicious burger that your friend liked, and then you remember the restaurant... just because you saw it on Facebook.Sure, not everyone who sees that their friend liked/commented on a restaurant's post is going to go check out that restaurant. But the odds certainly just increased in favor of the restaurant.
The groundswell works not only in spreading the name of the restaurant, but it also adds credibility. Seeing a friend of yours liked this restaurant is a good indication that you may like it too (that is, of course if you have the same tastes as that friend). You know them and so you are more likely to trust them, versus someone from the restaurant itself. Reviews are helpful too, but knowing someone that has an opinion will be even more helpful.
So, I fell for the trick. I did not win a gift card, but because of me, my network has now seen the name, The Fix.I'm not mad that The Fix used me. I'm sure many people do not even realize they are being used. I'm okay with it... I just think I should get a Gift Card for helping them out. Don't you agree?
Dear Nikki,
ReplyDeleteI think the best form of advertising is by word of mouth. People don't believe a lot of what they hear or see in paid-for advertisements, but when they hear a recommendation directly from a friend, they are far more likely to act on it. Just like the way The Fix shared your comments in your network, which were the best advertisement to your friends. Maybe your friends do not have a strong "like" to The Fix when they are reading your comments. However, your friends might have an impression that Nikki had meals in this restaurant before and will come to ask you for advice if they want to have lunch in The fix.
Haha. Totally Nickki, you deserve a gift card. But I wonder how you'd measure the amount the gift card should be worth, is that something that could be network relevant - the more people in your network that you steer to the Fix, the more your gift card should be worth? But then again, the argument is that you did not exert much effort, you just clicked a button, and how much should that actually be worth? Your candor in admitting that yes, you feel schemed is admirable, but that you are fine with, and will be happier, if you can get a gift card from this click transaction. Do you think you have a certain responsibility to share your enlightenment with others in your network, i.e. a disclaimer that may run thus, "I am only clicking on this to see if I can win a gift card, I am in no way advertising this place to you."
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post, Nikki! Now that you mention it, I have seen a lot of friends share things on social media with the potential to win a prize for it. I recently saw one for an RV that you had to like, comment on and share in order to be eligible to enter to win. It really is a great way for companies to grow their networks so I agree, you deserve a gift card!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I think The Fix is very smart for doing this promotion, for all the reasons you laid out. I also agree there should be no reason to be mad at them.
ReplyDeleteThe way I see it, I would want my favorite restaurant to keep growing. Helping on social media with the chance of getting a gift-card out of it seems like a win-win.